Black Sea Bass Regulations

Black Sea Bass

Centropristis striata

AKA

Pinbass, Rock Bass

Managed by:

SAFMC

Physical description:

The larger individuals of black sea bass are black, while the smaller induviduals are more of a dusky brown. The exposed parts of scales are paler than the margins, giving the fish the appearance of being barred with a series of longitudinal dots. The belly is only slightly lighter in color than the sides. The fins are dark, and the dorsal is marked with a series of white spots and bands. The upper portion of the caudal fin ends as a filament. During spawning, males may have a conspicuous blue nuchal hump.

Biological description:

The black sea bass is a temperate marine species that inhabits irregular hard-bottom areas, such as wrecks or reefs. They are found from Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral, and those found in the South Atlantic Bight usually occur more inshore with other tropical reef fish such as snappers, groupers, porgies and grunts. Black sea bass are protogynous hermaphrodites, that is, they change sex with size. Large individuals are males, and smaller individuals are female. The number of eggs produced in a spawning season ranges from 30 thousand to 500 thousand depending on the size of the fish. The spawning season is June through October in the Mid-Atlantic Bight, and February through May in the South Atlantic Bight. Females reach sexual maturity when they are 7.5 inches long, and males when they are 9 inches long. Black sea bass may live up to 20 years, although fish older than 9 years are rare. The maximum size attained is 24 inches and 6 pounds. Black sea bass are opportunistic feeders eating whatever is available, preferring crabs, shrimp, worms, small fish and clams.

The use of black sea bass pots is prohibited annually from November 1 through April 30, except for in areas shown in the maps above.

Pots allowed only north of Cape Canaveral, FL.

Pot endorsement program is in place effective July 1, 2012.

The use of at least a 2 inch mesh for the entire back panel of black sea bass pots is required.

Black sea bass pots are to be removed from the water once quota is met.

Stock North of Cape Hatteras, NC is managed separately by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

All fish must be landed with heads and fin intact.

The use of dehooking tools when fishing for snapper grouper species is required.

The use of non-stainless steel circle hooks (offset or non-offset) is required for all species in the snapper grouper complex when using hook and line gear with natural baits in waters North of 28-degrees N latitude.

After the commercial quota is met, all purchase and sale is prohibited and harvest and/or possession is limited to the recreational bag limit. This prohibition does not apply to fish harvested, landed, and sold prior to the quota being reached and held in cold storage by a dealer. (Quotas are given in gutted weights.)

Additional Update: A Fishery Performance Report is available for this species - Click Here!

Recreational:

OPEN

Size Limit: 13" TL minimum

Bag Limit: 7 fish per person/day, effectiveAugust 12, 2016.

Recreational Season: OPEN;

NOTE: New fishing year is April 1 - March 31 annually and open until the Annual Catch Limit has been met or projected to be met.

Recreational Remarks:

Stock North of Cape Hatteras, NC is managed separately by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

All fish must be landed with heads and fin intact.

The use of dehooking tools when fishing for snapper grouper species is required.

The use of non-stainless steel circle hooks (offset or non-offset) is required for all species in the snapper grouper complex when using hook and line gear with natural baits in waters North of 28-degrees N latitude.